November 22, 2008

Well last night's open house was an amazing success! the turn out was unbelievable! I had no idea it would be that packed and crowded! You hear so much negativity in the media that there is always that little nagging bit of self doubt that maybe people won't show, but indeed they came, in fact we sold out of several things! but don't worry we will be re-ordering, and of course crafting more goods! The place felt warm, and full, and glowing! We had a ball! So thanks TONS for all of you people that came, and thanks to all of you people who stop by here to peek in virtually! I will leave you with a few images (click on them to enlarge) from our shop all decked out in this years holiday finery, I hope you like it!so please...won't you come on in?!

so that's it for now! a little Red SHoes virtual tour.imagine sweet smelling pine candles burning ..... warm and toasty rooms and you will feel like you were there! Thanks So much for stopping by! I hope you'll come back and visit REAL soon! I am off to head home to my own very toasty home, I just hope that it's somehow miraculously cleaned itself. hee hee!love to you!xoxoxoc.

November 21, 2008

todays the big day!we open our doors at 5pm, and the fun begins.....we are putting the final touches on everything...last minute lights being hung, pillows being stuffed, things wrapped with ribbon, little tweaks here and there. we've spent the past 2 days, over 12 hours a day at the shop rearranging and unpacking everything....it's a huge endeavor, my hands are throbbing from all of the work, but I am SO happy with how it's looking, the shop is packed more than ever, every little nook and cranny is filled with goodies.. I hope you will all like it, just thought I would give you a tiny peek, I am hoping to have more pictures later today when I can find my normal lens for my camera! it's buried somewhere.....OH!anyways, hope all of you have a great day and look forward to catching up soon!YIPPEE!xoxoxo

November 18, 2008

I am parked today in the sunlight surrounded by my favorite little guys.....busy working right down to the wire.sewing in the sweet sunshine and blasting the music..... My heart is seriously racing with a combination of excitement and nerves. Part of me hopes I can deliver, because you know that creative side of me always has that self doubt. I vacillate between confidence and fear. but i'll get it done. I always do. SO the countdown to the Fun begins........ We will be having our HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE FRIDAY NOVEMBER 21ST DOORS OPEN AT 5PM and stay open UNTIL 9PM if you live local I hope you will stop by. if not, you may have a virtual tour when I post pictures at the end of the week. I am Hoping this year will be one of my best ones yet. I am really looking forward to it! My mind is racing with all of the ideas dying to come out, because all of the scenes and visions of what the shop will look like are all purely in my head right now. SO! We will be closing the shop tommorow to start the tranformation. I hope you will like it. I Will keep you posted! So please note, THE SHOP will be closed on wednesday nov.19th andthursday November 20th.we will open back up with secrets revealedon Friday at 5pm hope you can join us then! o.k.!, I am off to bask in that sweet sunshine, happily ignoring that it's 28 degrees outside, nope, not thinking about that one bit! time to get back to my little guys, they are starting to give me the hairy eyeball!xoxoxoxxxxxxxxxxooooooo

November 12, 2008

Hi! i'm back! Taking a little craft break.thought I blog....again.can you believe two posts in one day? what's MY deal?well, the deal is I have so much to share, and I'm in hyper-over drive. I usually have these kind of craft explosions when I am right down to the wire....the ideas start flowing like lava, and I can't get them out fast enough. So today I seriously have about 8 projects in the works...spread out all over my kitchen table.ornaments, garlands, snowmen, frames, wall pieces. oye! so I will share ONE of them that I have been working on...

Every year I make a new ornament...this year I decided to make little mushroom houses.....they are teeny.I also am ALLLLLL about the packaging, So I will be putting them in tiny boxesand wrap them with a bow of course. I also made a strawberry one too....this one was a gift for one of my sweet customers.....she came into the shop and asked me if I might have any strawberry ornaments coming....well I did not. she told me she buys a strawberry ornament for her sister every year.her sister has a christmas tree that is decorated in ONLY strawberries! can you imagine how A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E. that would be?!well, it got MY mind spinning, so of course I had to try and make one. (i'm hoping to make more too) I wrapped it up and placed it on her porch as a surprise. I love to give little treats.....

I also love any thing red and white.something you see in a lot of european design magazines. It must speak to my swedish side...because as i've said before I am a weird mix.....half swedish, half mexican. have you ever heard of THAT combo? yes, i'm a mixed bag. probably why I am always conflicted! It's probably why I have a love of bright colors and clean simple design. In fact I am pretty much smitten with ANYTHING swedish or european! Like for example take a look at this magazine spread that has me inspired....the sweet little red clogs and that cool wall pocket.don't think I'm not making some of those. I of course am putting my own spin on it, with bold black numbers. hopefully I will have some of those to show you later this week.So in this same magazine they managed to take ordinary twigs and turn them into big red snowflakes....isn't that great and imaginative?they also found time to paint their log pile in a very cool way.obviously somebody with a lot of time on their hands! but oh-those europeans! oh my! my mind is twirling with ideas! So of course, in between all of the crafting and inspiration I had to order some goods for the shop.... I sought out some wonderful swedish goods.....again, I am ALLLLL about the packaging.in addition to the adorable little candies we have coming in, we have some swedish soaps coming too.now those swedish women are supposed to have legendary skin....due in part to using this facial soap. it's made with egg whites and is supposed to work like magic. I personally can't wait till it comes in. I'm hoping for a miracle. :)now doesn't this just put a smile on your face?me too, they are also on their way......

now one of my most favorite swedish designers isagnetha livijn. love her style and stuff! I actually tried to get some of her goods into the store, but was unsuccessful. I don't think she has representation here in the US yet, but when she does, I will be jumping through hoops to get at it. I am fortunate to own a couple of her pieces.....but just look at this new stuff....so cute!love the letters! she acually designs for Ikea, and you know how I feel about THAT place!now speaking of euro design and magazines, I was fortunate enough to be in ANOTHER magazine! gosh, I'm on some craaaazy roll!this time it's a german one! it's very cute and I had a nice spreadbut I have NO clue what they are saying!:)I will say that I love the VON Catherine Thursby part. Sounds veryfancy to me! :) So on another note there was inspiration that spoke to that LAtin side of me this week.....found on the sweet Isabels blog love her style, so sweet and charming. well She had a picture of this sofa,the wild and vibrant patterns on this have me screaming out loud inside! I want one SOOOOO badlyor perhaps this oneor maybe just a lampshade....of course I'd have to go to London to get them.darn europeans! Stop being so cool! I love you!you can see more of them here

SO on that note, I am going to end this incredibly LOOOOOng post. Just know that what is being crafted and ordered and visually rearranged in my mind will be a combination of things seen here...a combination of reds and whites, a european influence, a rustic influence, a wildly colorful kind, and a soft sparkly serene kind. (and of course a last minute, down to the wire handmade kind.)a mix that you probably will only find at my wacky shop. hopefully it will all come together nicely soon.I am VERY excited about it all. I think it will be a GReaT holiday season, and can't WAIT to share it all with you SOON!thanks for checking Back in!hope all of you are well!xoxoxoc.

Thanks for all of the nice comments about my boy! I think all of your positive vibes were well received over here because he is feeling much better, He's starting to get back to the sassy, mischievious guy that he is, little devil! :) He came to work with me yesterday, and most of the day was spent in front of the computer messing around with photo booth on my new Imac. here are some of our favorites...gosh we were DYING laughing.I got absolutely NOTHING done until he left, and I was totally o.k. with that, LOVED being with my sweet boy! I got a TON done later on that I want to share.....SO!I will do this as a 2-part series....I'm going to try and blog again later this afternoon, THAT is after we get back from the miscellaneous Doctors appointments, him with his arm, and me with my cough/pneumonia/bronchitis/hacking/gagging thing. very fun in public with that one! I will say it's not keeping me down, I have MANY, Many irons in the fire today.....working working working.gluing, pasting, forming, sewing, painting....in various stages.needless to say it looks like a tornado rolled through here.do I care? no.I will hopefully share some good stuff later, because I seriously want to just explode, there is so much! as always, thanks for checking in.will see U later!xoxoc.

November 10, 2008

ugh!so todays post was supposed to be all about fun little rusty things and other inspirations......a rustic little detour from the pretty little things from the previous post,but instead it's just a short documentation of our weekend, and how it went down.well, let's just say It went down hard, as in Broken bone hard.

gross huh?my poor sweet son Jackson broke his arm saturday afternoon.snapping BOTH bones in his forearm. I was at work when I got the call from Ian that Jackson had wiped out rollerblading, and they were heading to the ER. all I have to say is that I was SO glad I wasn't the one that was there on the scene, because, well, I am kind of a panicker. The mere phone call alone almost made me pass out. They came by the shop and picked me up where we spent the next 7 hours at the ER, they had to put him under anesthesia to re-set his little bones. The team that worked on him was great. we ended up going to the university of Michigan hospital. Jackson was such a trooper the entire time, being so incredibly brave.he didn't even cry ONCE when we were there. I was amazed. it was either shock, or maybe he indeed is a tough guy, but all I know is that I could never do that. just seeing that I.V. that they needed to put in him got me all queasy and flinchey. I tell everyone, I can give birth, but not blood.I am a big baby that's for sure. The one highlight of the night for my son was that he got to have a really cool sling with the big U of M block M on it. can you imagine being all excited about that?well he was.you just can't tell in this picture.because he is in pain. he's just being brave. I am keeping him home this week from school so his bones can set.he is just in a splint and sling for now. they have to do that to accomodate for the swelling. we have to go back on wednesday for a follow up appointment to see if the bones have stayed in place, and not shifted. if they shift, he has to have an operation and pins will have to be inserted. i'm feeling lightheaded.So cross your fingers for my boy. hopefully he'll just get a cast this weekend. SO needless to say, I am NOT having my holiday open house this weekend like planned......we have moved it out one more week to the21st. I am happy about that anyways. I was feeling too much pressure to get things done in a short amount of time. SO know that things are still being crafted in between Doctors appointments.my kitchen table is sufficiently covered in crafting debris...busily working on ornaments and such, my mind a twirl with ideas dying to get out. my faithful side kick Fiona is thereproviding inspiration as always....her little snowman just kills me! oh! SO on that note, bear with me in the next few weeks,I promise I will have TONS AND TONS to share soon.....just a few road bumps in the way! xoxooh.......I almost forgot to mention!we are having a BOOK SIGNING this weekend (Nov. 15th) with the ArtistTracy Gallup. she will be in the shop signing her beautiful new book a Roomful of questions. it's a book that is so beautiful, thought provoking and simple, you will definitely want a copy for yourself! you can read about it here.xoxoxo!love to all!c.

November 07, 2008

My life is on the fast track lately, too much going on, too much to share, too much everything!I have a headache.this day FLEW by, where did that time go?so I will leave this post with a minimum of words, and a maximum of photos.I am satifying my sweet tooth today visually.....and my girly side.playing with all things sparkly today.....i even wore my extra girlyanthropolgie-style earrings....i'm feeling special! :)

sweet things we have been getting in lately, and the cute little display we had at the womens city club last week sometime, tables and tea.....whenever that was, life is a blur.time to sit down, relax,enjoy my sweet peoplebreathe, find sweetness in everyday things, like a heart shaped chipsweet blue skybedside roses that I splurged on for myself....lighting candles....basking in that glowvodka.hee hee!well, it IS friday night after all! doesn't that sound perfect?o.k., so that's it for now!hope that satisfied YOUR sweet tooth too!the next post will be about my NON-girly side.the side that loves rust, and decay, trucks, dogs, cowboy boots andvintage buttons. because there is THAT side of me too that loves all of those time worn comfy cozy things.things that go great with a beer, (or not) ha ha!ohmigosh! can you tell I need to unwind! o.k., ann is hanging over my shoulder nagging me to get ordering some stuff, so I better go before she cracks that ole whip!sheesh!have a GREAT weekend Y'all!back next week with more goodies!xoxoxolove to all!c.

November 05, 2008

SHoo-wee!Aren't you so glad those elections are over? that was a nail biter!I don't really ever remember paying too much attention to politics before this election. probably because most of the time I feel so ignorant about all of the things they are usually talking about! but with the internet I sure have learned alot about it all.like what the heck a Pundit is, or the electoral college, you know, all of that useless junk I can whip out at parties to impress people.(or pretend that I actually know what I am talking about!) hee hee! totally kidding, I really don't talk politics much. I do have to say I thought both of them made lovely speeches last night, and it really got my eyeballs all teary eyed thinking about this country and how we need to rise up and get ourselves back on track. It was empowering to think that we may get a fresh start and get to work! So myself, I too have been working away....trying to get back on track...starting on a few little paintings, that I will probably eventually put behind glass into little pendants. I am really smitten with that whole soldering thing!obviously practicing my technique, because even though it's fairly easy, you really have to watch the way the tape goes on, and the way your solder melts on the edges. So this is what I have been up to lately, in between running in circles because I have NO idea what to tackle first! oh my! So I will havemore to share in the next few days, I am wildly busy getting ready for the holidays, that frankly kind of just snuck up on me!how did that happen? evidently we will be having our open house a week Earlier than predicted!so sheesh that means I have ZERO time for anything.I think I hear that pub calling my name! ha ha! anyways, i'm off to add more to the website.....I added a few of my lavender pillows for anyone that's interested.they are a tinier version of the house pillows, chock full of organicfresh smelling lavender. just the thing to sniff when you are feeling stressed. it's supposed to be really relaxing.i'm off to squeeze them myself!you can see them for yourself here:)

November 04, 2008

Todays the big daY!so go out and exercise your civic duty! Isn't it exciting?I thought I would share with you a little list from the ladies at the sidetrack cafe in ypsilanti......a little something they shared with me that I thought was funny, since I'm on their mailing list, Why Vote? We'll Tell You Why!Get off Your Butt and VOTE!

vote#1. To shut up all those "If you didn't vote then you can't complain" people.#2. You should have a say in which politician will be lying to you for the next 4 years.#3. If you can stand in line to buy a Nintendo Wii, you can stand in line to vote.#4. Perfect opportunity to check if your e-vote hack is in place.#5. Because you're tired of all the Republican scandals and abuses of power, and would like more Democratic scandals and abuses of power.#6. To relive those test taking days in college when you just filled in the circles randomly hoping to get some right.#7. More than likely, you exercise your right to free speech, freedom of religion and maybe even the right to bear arms- why not go give your right to vote a little work out?#8. You have a 50/50 chance of predicting the next President.

I know, maybe a little cynical, but I thought it was funny nevertheless..... plus if I show them the "i voted sticker" today I get a free beer , isn't that so nice?! hee hee. if you haven't been to the Sidetrack before, you should go, they have the BEST hamburgers in town. seriously. unfortunately there will be no burgers or beer in my future today, I am going to be firmly rooted to my kitchen table working on little projects that I hope to share with you in the next few days......I just learned how to solder.can anyone say "obsession"? ohmigosh. I am totally in love with this new technique.....and my mind is twirling now more than ever. pictures to follow soon, i swear. O.K.!I am off to chug some coffee, get to the polls, and get craftin'!hope YOU all have an amazing day!xoxoxoc.

November 01, 2008

Are you in one?I think I am.darn Halloween! oh well, another year, another successful happy halloween! a great time was had by all.the house glowed

so did my husband.me, not so much....

I was a little tired.decided to lay down...here and take a nap ;)when in a rush to carve pumpkins, a drill bit makes an excellent tool to speed things up.old mason jars with rocks and candles look kind of creepy too. when you don;t have time to carve your pumpkins proper.paint covers a multitude of sins. in fact, I think this was the most economical halloween I have ever had, and the most fun pulling it all together last minute!finding use out of discarded items, and things on hand. I love that when that happens! because when it all boils down to it, it was the kids that had the best time of all.......running around the neighborhood and getting all of the candy possible....lordy, lordy!now Miss Fiona being the highly organized creature that she is (totally unlike her mother)grouped all of her candies together this morning in little piles...quietly surveying her stash, unaware that her mother is eyeballing everything on that table plotting her own attack of sorts. don't tempt me devil-candy. should I be concerned that she is this organized? it seems kind of Rain-manish to me, but hey! I should be so grateful that someone in our household has their poop together.since most of us are kind of sloppy. she just makes all of us look bad! :) She is the one in the family that will have her clothes laid out the night before school, actually ASK to do her homework, AND get it done a week before it's due,remembers EVERYTHING, and brushes her own teeth without being prompted. in fact the other night when Ian was helping her do her homework he had the following actual conversation with her: "oh Fiona, you are so smart! you are going to get a scholarship to an ivy league school and help support your parents when you get older, because daddy's 401K went poo-poo today. yes, Daddy's going to be an 86 year old greeter at HOME DEPOT" oye.we do a LOT of laughing in this household. it really helps! and it's free! SO on that note, I am off to try and get some work done at the shop today.trying to clear away all of these mental cobwebs from all of the sugar in my system! actually in all honesty, I was really good about it, and only had 2 pieces, can you believe that?pinky swear it's the truth. probably because my sweet tooth is being satiated by all of the sweet candy-coated confections that are rolling in around here. I will share some of them with you next week. they are certainly less fattening, and extra, extra SWEET!xoxoxoxc.

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